The story, which is written entirely as a series of letters between two friends, concerns the invention of an imaginary young woman, Marjorie Daw, by one correspondent, intended as a harmless diversion. When the other correspondent becomes madly smitten with the imaginary Ms Daw, the first correspondent is forced to confess his ruse. The story ends thus: "For oh, dear Jack, there isn't any piazza, there isn't any hammock - there isn't any Majorie Daw!"